The Sony PlayStation-based driving simulator, Gran Turismo Sport has now welcomed the Mazda RX-Vision GT3 Concept to its virtual fleet. Mazda is the official partner in Gran Turismo Sport, and the Japanese automaker has also been confirmed as a selected manufacturer for all “World Tour 2020” live events, and now the racing version of the RX-Vision concept has been made available on the online racing platform.

In addition to the release of the RX-Vision GT3 Concept on the platform, Mazda will be hosting two events on Gran Turismo Sport in commemoration of the automaker’s centennial anniversary – the RX-Vision GT3 Concept Time Trial Challenge and the RX-Vision GT3 Concept Livery Design Contest.

Winners from both events will receive prizes from Mazda, including a limited edition sketch and a miniature car, according to the PlayStation Blog. The time trial event will be held from today, 3pm Japan time to 11:59 pm on June 5 on Gran Turismo Sport.

The race course used is the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, and participation is open to anyone with a PlayStation Network account. Participants may enter as many time as they like, and the vehicle used in the challenge can be driven in AT or MT mode, with all other settings fixed.

Also commencing at 3pm Japan time today is the livery design contest, and is also open to all globally. This runs longer though, until June 19 at 11:59 pm. Livery contest entrants will need to have access to Gran Turismo Sport and have obtained a Mazda RX-Vision GT3 Concept in the game, and also have a public Twitter account. Entrants need to share their completed livery design in-game as well as on Twitter.

The RX-Vision GT3 Concept racer which features here is powered by a four-rotor Skyactiv-R rotary engine producing 562 hp, sending drive to the rear wheels. It weighs 1,250 kg, with a weight distribution of 48:52 front and rear.

The RX-Vision’s transformation from show car to racer sees the front-engined, rear-wheel-drive two-door gain components such as a long front splitter, extended side skirts, a vented bonnet, larger rear diffuser and the obligatory, very large GT-style rear wing, along with racing wheels and tyres and side-exit exhausts.

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

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